University of Nevada Las Vegas
Arizona
3/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2003
FULLERTON, Calif. - Arizona's Alicia Hollowell struck out 18 Rebels and tossed a two-hit shutout as the second-ranked Wildcats defeated the UNLV softball team 3-0 in the first round of bracket play at the Kia Classic on Friday.
The Rebels (13-17) earned their only hit early as Morgan Bostwick lifted a ball into right center for a double. But UNLV's best scoring chance was left at second as Hollowell got Lisa Moses to pop out before fanning Kacey Ellis to end the inning.
Arizona (30-2) meanwhile also went to work in the first, scoring all three of its runs. Autumn Champion and Cortney Fossatti both reached via infield singles, and Champion nabbed an extra base in between. That allowed her to score on a lazy fly ball to right by Lovie Jung. The Wildcats continued the rally as both Shelly Schultz and Lisha Ribellia hit RBI singles.
Once the lead was built, it remained safe. Hollowell mowed through the hitters, retiring 16 straight after Bostwick's hit and striking out the side in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. At one point, she had struck out nine straight.
UNLV finishes play in the Kia Classic at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, where it will face the loser of Friday night's matchup between host Cal State Fullerton and Nebraska.
